Narrative Structures in Other Music Videos

Making the narrative structure different to the normal linear structure in a music video can be a risk, as it is important it is done right and the audience understand what the producer is trying to portray in choosing a non linear narrative. Flashbacks and flash-forwards also make a narrative that bit more complicated - which is why its also important that they're done right and that they are not too difficult for the audience to understand.

Jason Derulo uses a non linear narrative in the music video for 'What If' as at a point in the video, the clock starts moving in reverse. On top of this there are many flashbacks used in this, making the video quite complex. The video was done and produced incredibly well which is why it works and is massively popular, with over 29 Million views on youtube.

Payphone - Maroon 5 is also an incredible example of a successful music video with a non linear narrative. The beginning starts with the end, and everything in between is a flashback to an attack and a police chase that happened earlier that day, with the occasional flash-forward to the present day where the man is trying to call his lover. Again, this was produced impeccably which is why it works so well.

There are pro's and con's of using these non-linear narratives in a music video though, the most obvious con being it isn't always as easy as it looks to pull off, it could leave the audience very confused making it meaningless as nobody understands it. It would also take a lot of planning and cooperation from different people (such as the actors filming more scenes in more locations) in order to make the video the best it could be..

However, personally I believe the pro's outweigh the con's massively. This is because when done right, it can give the music video more dimension, depth and meaning. I personally believe it tells more of a story than a linear narrative as it gives the beginning middle and end in an alternative way, whilst making the audience reflect and think a bit more than a regular narrative would. I also think using non linear narratives and flashbacks/ flash-forwards, make a music video much more intriguing to watch and enjoy.

Even though I really enjoy watching media products with non-linear narratives, I think giving myself this challenge would be too complicated, so instead I would really like to just incorporate some flash backs/forwards into my music video as I think this is far more achievable in the time span I have to plan, produce and make my music video rather than what it would be if I was to create one with a non linear narrative.